IMPROVING facilities and giving students from low income families the chance to study for a degree are just some of the ways York's two universities  have spent more than £265 million in tuition fees.

Since higher education institutions around the country started charging £9,000 a year for undergraduates in 2012, the city's University of York and York St John University have seen their incomes sky rocket.

The University of York received £67,907,000 at the end of 2012's academic year, but by the time the fees had trebled a year later, they had seen their takings from UK, European Union and international students increase to £90,497,000.

This was followed by another rise in 2014 to £110,246,000.

Dr David Duncan, university registrar and secretary, said: "Part of the additional fee income over the last three years has replaced the reduction in the grant received from Government via the Higher Education

Funding Council; part has been used to make general improvements in the student experience, including new facilities, better staff-student ratios, paid internship opportunities and free foreign language courses for undergraduates.  

"Finally, we have allocated significantly increased funds to bursaries and scholarships for students from low income backgrounds and enhanced outreach activities in schools and colleges."

According to York St John's accounts, their tuition fees and education contracts column showed £19,803,000 in 2011/12, but rose to £28,703,000 12 months later and by 2013/14 stood at £36,376,000.

A spokeswoman for York St John said £3.1million was spent on student bursaries, £1.6million on IT Services and £2.7million on Estates Management and Development in 2014/15.

Money was also spent on sports pitches in Haxby Road, the refurbishment of Temple Hall teaching and event space, and equipping new Biomedical laboratories.

David Chesser, chief operating officer, said: “The introduction of £9,000 tuition fees in 2012 has led to a major transformation of UK university finances. York St John has adapted really well to these changes, ensuring that sufficient cash resources are available to deliver quality provisions every day, while also ensuring that the University has access to funds for future investment.

"The University is a complex organisation that provides a host of services to its staff and students, including estates management, library and IT services, student and staff support, marketing and student recruitment, financial management and academic development."